U.S. patent number 7,027,801 [Application Number 10/034,002] was granted by the patent office on 2006-04-11 for method delivering location-base targeted advertisements to mobile subscribers.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Nortel Networks Limited. Invention is credited to Michael D. Hall, Narendra Kanar.
United States Patent |
7,027,801 |
Hall , et al. |
April 11, 2006 |
Method delivering location-base targeted advertisements to mobile
subscribers
Abstract
An inventive method and apparatus includes a network of servers
for providing information on a push basis to a user or consumer
that desires to receive event driven information according to
specified conditions. The types of push information include event
driven information services as well as very targeted
advertisements. An information server receives location information
that identifies the specific location or Picocell within which the
consumer mobile terminal has traveled. Then, a consumer profile is
transmitted to vendors proximate to the mobile terminal location as
a part of determining whether to transmit information or
advertisements to the consumer. If the consumer profile specifies
solicited advertisements only, advertisements may only be sent if
they include products or services as identified in the consumer
profile information.
Inventors: |
Hall; Michael D. (Carrollton,
TX), Kanar; Narendra (Plano, TX) |
Assignee: |
Nortel Networks Limited (St.
Laurent, CA)
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Family
ID: |
36127829 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/034,002 |
Filed: |
December 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60266618 |
Feb 6, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/412.1;
455/415 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q
30/02 (20130101); H04M 3/42348 (20130101); H04M
3/4878 (20130101); H04M 3/42059 (20130101); H04M
3/4211 (20130101); H04M 2242/15 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04M
3/42 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;379/88.16,88.19,88.12-88.25 ;455/412.1,414.1-415,422.1,456.1,456.2
;340/426.9,426.2 ;701/200,201,207-209 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tsang; Fan
Assistant Examiner: Karovalia; Samir
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Garlick Harrison & Markison,
LLP Harrison; James A. Garlick; Bruce E.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to and incorporates U.S.
Provisional Application having a Ser. No. 60/266,618 and a filing
date of Feb. 6, 2001.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An information server, comprising: a processor; a memory
including computer instructions that define logic to prompt the
information server to receive a mobile terminal ID and its location
whenever the mobile terminal registers its presence in a new cell
and to evaluate an information customer profile that corresponds to
the mobile terminal ID to determine if a specific push data message
is to be transmitted to the mobile terminal through a wireless data
packet network; an internal bus coupled to the processor and the
memory to enable the processor to receive the computer instructions
stored within the memory, and wherein the information server is
operable to determine if the specific push data message is to be
transmitted based upon at least one identified Picocell, wherein
push data is arranged according to Picocell service areas, or upon
specified products and services identified in a user profile
associated with the mobile terminal ID; wherein a vendor sends the
profile to a vendor server for it to determine whether the push
data message to the mobile terminal.
2. The information server of claim 1 wherein the wireless data
packet network comprises one of a GPRS or UMTS network.
3. The information server of claim 1 wherein the wireless data
packet network comprises a wireless local area network.
4. The information server of claim 1 wherein the specific push data
message comprises a solicited advertisement.
5. The information server of claim 4 wherein the solicited
advertisement is for a product or service identified in the profile
for an information customer.
6. The information server of claim 1 wherein the specific push data
message comprises an unsolicited message.
7. The information server of claim 6 wherein the unsolicited
message is transmitted as a result of the mobile terminal having
traveled into the cell proximate to a vendor for whom the
advertisement is transmitted.
8. The information server of claim 1 wherein the computer
instructions define logic to transmit the customer profile
information to a vendor server that is proximate to the cell within
which the mobile terminal is registered.
9. The information server of claim 8 wherein the vendor carries
products or sells services similar to at least one product or
service identified in the information customer's profile.
10. The information server of claim 8 wherein the customer profile
information is transmitted to the vendor server to prompt it to
generate an advertisement to the mobile terminal.
11. A method for delivering an advertisement to a mobile terminal
comprising: receiving location information that identifies a mobile
terminal and a location; determining, based upon the mobile
terminal location, whether a vendor sends customer profile
information to a vendor server for it to determine whether a push
data message is sent to the mobile terminal; and transmitting
customer profile information to an external server, and, if a push
data message is to be sent to the mobile terminal, receiving the
push data from external server and transmitting the push data
message to the mobile terminal; and wherein an information server
is operable to determine if the specific push data message is to be
transmitted based upon at least one an identified Picocell, wherein
push data is arranged according to Picocell service areas, or upon
specified products and services identified in a user profile
associated with the mobile terminal ID.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the push data message is a
solicited advertisement.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the solicited advertisement is
for a product or service that is similar to one identified in the
customer profile information.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the solicited advertisement is
for a product or service that is identified in the customer profile
information.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the push data message is for an
unsolicited advertisement.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the push data message if for
specified information triggered by an event.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the event is that a specified
travel condition has occurred.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the travel condition is a flight
schedule changes that is viewed in relation to the user location
and traffic patterns.
19. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of determining the
mobile terminal location includes determining the identity of a
Picocell within which the mobile terminal is registered.
20. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of
transmitting push data in one of a broadcast mode or a priority
mode wherein the priority mode includes sending the push data to
the highest priority device whose presence is registered according
to consumer profile information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention is generally related to systems for
performing commercial activities over a general access computer
network and, in particular, to a system and method of conveniently
and efficiently displaying advertising and product selection to
effectuate a purchase transaction over the Internet utilizing the
World Wide Web.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the Internet is developed, it is creating substantial growth in
the quantity and diversity of information and services that are
readily accessible from the home or office. As the number of users
of the Internet grows exponentially, the number of entities that
use the Internet to market their products or services is also
growing exponentially. For example, many Internet-based services
are being offered that relate to providing query-based information,
including sales information, financial information and news.
As a part of attracting consumers to effectuate a transaction, a
typical organization also provides the electronic equivalent of
glossy brochures that define the company, its products, its
philosophies and any other information that may help a consumer
decide to purchase from that particular entity. Accordingly, the
information that is made available through the Internet further
encourages individuals to acquire the technology and skills to
access the Internet.
A hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and more recently extensible
markup language ("XML"), serve as foundation technologies for the
World Wide Web and has been widely adopted and implemented in web
browsers and web servers. Web browsers provide a convenient user
application for receiving generally high quality text and graphical
information in a scrollable display page format. Such web pages are
related by embedded hypertext links that reference other web pages.
Thus, selection of a hypertext link, either by direct reference or
implied reference through an image map causes a hypertext jump to
the selection referenced web page. More specifically, the selection
of a hypertext link prompts a browser of a computer to
electronically couple to a website whose address is specified by
the hypertext link.
From the computer terminal user's perspective, however, selection
is generally made through a simple, single mouse click on a
displayed portion of the text or graphics. This system of simply
selecting contextual relations makes browsing successive web pages
served from potentially quite diverse and distance web servers
convenient and intuitive. This user-friendliness accounts, in large
part, to the rapid and wide acceptance of the World Wide Web as an
information resource.
As suggested already, one common use of the World Wide Web is to
facilitate commercial transactions for products and for information
delivery. The very nature of the World Wide Web, however,
de-emphasizes geography because a customer may receive the search
results for a product of a store within his or her immediate
vicinity just as conveniently as the products of a store that is
across the country or even across the world. In general, search
results for a particular product, by way of example, are listed in
an order specified by the server performing the search whose
geographic location is transparent to the customer.
Typically, search results produced by a search engine for a
particular term or product name not only include hypertext links to
locations that sell the particular product, but also hypertext
links to publications, e-mail messages, web sites and other
resources that include the particular search term. Thus, it is not
uncommon for a particular search to yield hundreds or even
thousands of search results containing a specified search term. To
the consumer or user that must browse the search results to attempt
to find a sales/vendor organization that actually has the desired
product or service for sale can be a time-consuming task.
Worse yet, if the consumer prefers to patronize a service or goods
provider within a local area, then, potentially, the consumer must
review all of the search results to find those search results that
meet his or her specific requirements. Even if a consumer has no
particular loyalty to local vendors, he or she may prefer to view,
sample or try the particular product prior to deciding to purchase
it. A consumer that plans to visit a local vendor, however, may
still perform an Internet search to determine a reasonable price
for the product and even to shop around for the best price provided
by local vendors. Even in those cases where search results are
ordered according to a home zip code, as is possible for automotive
searches, however, the consumer must still review the results.
Moreover, it would be convenient if a consumer could specify
certain events that prompt the automatic delivery of advertisements
or information. The World Wide Web and the methods of use therefor
do not enable or facilitate the ability of local vendors to provide
their goods or services to the local population that are in the
immediate vicinity and that have a documented need for the product
or information. Accordingly, a need exists for such vendors to
compete effectively for the local market with national and
international service and goods providers. There is also a need for
consumers to receive information according to his or her location.
As Internet servers become significant marketing pipelines, there
exists an ever-increasing need for local vendors to compete with
national vendors in the particular markets and to provide localized
information and advertisements to users.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,915 to Steven T. Kirsch discloses
a secure, convenient and efficient system and method of performing
trans-Internet purchase transactions. Kirsch particularly discloses
a method of using "cookies" to facilitate security and to enable
one website to facilitate sales transactions for multiple vendors
in only one connection or search. Kirsch does not facilitate using
the Internet as a source for finding the best prices and closest
locations, nor does Kirsch facilitate a sale transaction between a
user and a local and proximate vendor. Moreover, Kirsch, like other
references, does not provide for automatic delivery of specific
information on an event driven basis. Kirsch, like other
references, focuses on query-based information and advertisement
delivery. What is needed, therefore, is a system for providing
event driven information and advertisements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One advantage a local vendor has over nationally directed and
location transparent sales/vendor organizations is proximity to an
information customer. An information customer is a user or consumer
that desires to receive event driven information according to
specified conditions. Thus, to overcome the shortcomings of the
prior systems and their operations, the embodiments of the present
invention contemplate an apparatus and a method that enable vendors
to compete more effectively for information customers in its local
area. More specifically, the invention facilitates the ability of a
sales/vendor organization to have its products or services
advertised on the Internet or World Wide Web displayed to a local
information customer on a computer monitor or even on a mobile
terminal in a manner that facilitates their identification by the
information customer in the local area. Additionally, advertised
products are delivered by a push server, along with selectable
"hold" and "buy" options, in a manner that enables the information
customer to examine a particular product and also encourages him or
her to purchase the goods or service from the vendor within the
local area.
The push data further increases the information customer's
convenience of shopping in that hypertext links enable the
information customer to create a voice call either by way of the
Internet or the wireless and/or public switched telephone networks
provided with the search results. The search results also include
graphical user interface (GUI) options that include hypertext links
formed to enable the information customer to request that a
particular product be placed on hold to enable the information
customer to test the particular product for suitability or to
purchase the product outright. Upon selection of the "hold" GUI, a
server receiving the hold request generates a message to the
specified store to hold the particular product for the information
customer. The "hold" or "buy" message may be generated
automatically in the form of an e-mail message, a computer
generated fax message, a short message service message to a
cellular communication device, an HTTP message over the web or even
a general packet radio service message to a wireless communication
device.
The inventive system and method include the capability for pushing
advertisements that relate to a specific customer profile or
pushing information that relates to a customer profile according to
a very specific customer information location. More specifically, a
customer initially logs in to a customer server and enters profile
information. Similarly, a vendor also enters its' vendor
information through the same, or a different server. Finally, the
user enters device capability information into a database wherein
the combination of vendor information, customer profile information
and device capability information are all used in conjunction with
an application server and a location server to determine what data,
information or advertisements are to be pushed to the information
customer. In general, as a mobile terminal registers its presence
or is handed off to a Picocell having a cell radius that is
approximately equal to 60 ft., the mobile terminal ID and location
are transmitted by the cellular network, e.g., the base station, to
a location server. As used herein, "Picocell" refers to a small
cell area. Specifically, it may include any type of known
technology including wireless local area networks such as, for
example, an 802.11b Standards based wireless local area network as
well as other wireless network technologies including code division
multiple access networks, time division multiple access networks,
general packet radio services networks and universal mobile
telephony system networks. The location server then transmits the
location information (in a translated form, if necessary) and
mobile terminal ID to an application server. The application server
examines a customer profile to determine whether the registration
on the mobile terminal within the specific location prompts the
operation of a custom application by the custom application server
or whether there are any vendors within the registered
location.
In the event that there is a vendor within the location, a customer
profile is transmitted from the application server to the vendor
server. The vendor server then examines the contents of the
customer profile to determine whether it has any products or
services for sale that match a described item within the customer
profile. If so, the vendor server generates a customer-specific
advertisement to the base station serving the mobile terminal
within the specified location. Thus, as may be seen,
customer-specific advertisements are being pushed to the
information customer's mobile terminal upon the occurrence of a
specified event (e.g., the mobile terminal has transitioned into a
specific cell location). The advertisements are formatted according
to device characteristics.
In the case of a custom application, the mobile terminal ID and
location are used to trigger the operation of the custom
application to provide custom information to the mobile terminal of
the information customer. In general, therefore, it may be seen
that the invention contemplates event-driven push data in the form
of custom information from a custom application server or
customer-specific advertisement information from a vendor server.
Moreover, the invention uniquely includes the transmission of
customer profile information to vendors within a very specific
geographic region being characterized by a small area. The vendors
then, according to user profile, generate advertisements that are
returned to the information server which then distributes the
advertisement(s) to one or more access devices. The form of the
advertisements are tailored to match the capability of the device
to which the advertisement is being sent. As is described herein,
the format of the advertisements or push data are tailored by a
server that includes a data base that defines capabilities of the
various terminal types to which the advertisements are being
delivered.
Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent with
further reference to the drawings and specification that
follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained
when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment
is considered with the following drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a network for delivering
information to a wireless terminal according to one embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a GUI screen display that illustrates
some of the types of information that might be displayed on a
computer screen according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram that illustrates an
information delivery network according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an information server
formed according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating one method of the present
invention; and
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another method of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a network for delivering
information to a wireless terminal according to one embodiment of
the present invention. A user workstation 100 is coupled to
communicate with an information server 104 by way of an Internet
108. An information server is a server that includes logic and
memory defining customer profile data, vendor data and logic for
obtaining the same (if necessary) from at least one external
database. Information servers also define logic from sending or
prompting other servers to send specific information or push data
to an information customer as specified by the information
customer's profile.
An information customer that is logged in to user workstation 100
receives graphic user interface (GUI) display signals 112 that are
generated by information server 104. Upon receiving GUI display
signals 112, the information customer enters data and selects
information options to create a customer profile. The customer
profile is then generated in profile information signal 116 by way
of Internet 108 to information server 104.
Information server 104 receives profile information signal 116 from
a plurality of user workstations for a plurality of information
customers to generate a database 120 that includes customer profile
records. Similarly, information server 104 receives vendor data
from a plurality of vendor servers, such as vendor servers 124 and
128. Vendor server 124, for example, produces vendor profile
information, as well as vendor inventory to information server
104.
Vendor server 104 further is coupled to communicate with a mobile
terminal 132 through Internet 108 and a wireless network 136.
Accordingly, when a specified event triggers the transmission of
information and, more specifically, push data, information server
104 generates the push data that is transmitted through Internet
108 and through wireless network 136 to mobile terminal 132.
Examples of the types of push data that might be generated by
information server 104 include specific information that is
directly related to a precise geographic location of mobile
terminal 132, as well as information that relates to selected
services and customer profile records stored within information
server 104. An information server generates the specific
information signals or advertisements to mobile terminal 132 or,
alternatively, prompts that information to be sent to mobile
terminal 132 through wireless network 136 and Internet 108 by
another server. While the present example illustrates that the
customer profile information and vendor data are stored within
information server 104, it is understood that such information may
be stored externally in a dedicated server or database.
Each of the vendor servers 124 and 128 include vendor data that
further includes inventory, as well as a combination of hardware
and software that define information delivery logic. The delivery
information logic, in the case of advertisements, generates the
advertisements that correspond to the specific location and profile
records of mobile terminal 132.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a GUI screen display that illustrates
some of the types of information that might be displayed on a
computer screen according to one embodiment of the present
invention. Referring now to FIG. 2, a GUI display window 204
defines three columns that are for displaying information relating
to solicited products or services, the corresponding price, and any
comments for additional information, such as a specification for
color or size. In the present embodiment of the invention, any
vendor having products that correspond to the items in GUI display
window 204 whenever the information customer's mobile terminal has
traveled into a very specific location, such as within 60 ft. of a
Picocell.
Thus, as may be seen, column 208 defines the specific solicited
products and services and shows that the information customer has
selected three items, namely, a Maybeclean dishwasher, a Cutcost
brand jeans and a Clear Image brand DLP television. The
corresponding prices that the information customer would like to
pay are specified in column 212 and show that the information
customer would like to pay $300 for the dishwasher, $19.95 for the
jeans, and $800 for the DLP television (wishful thinking). In
column 216, the information customer specifies any additional
information in a "comments" field. For example, this specific
information customer wants a tan-colored dishwasher, blue-colored
jeans and a 56'' DLP television. It is understood that other
columns may be included and that the window as shown in GUI display
window 204 is exemplary only. For example, columns are included in
embodiment that recite past purchases, present purchases and,
described herein, desired future services. Thus, advertisements or
other types of push data messages may be generated accordingly. For
example, if the user previously purchases a DLP television, he
might want to purchase a digital satellite receiver. Accordingly, a
vendor of satellite receivers might generate an advertisement upon
examining the user profile and determining that the consumer has
purchased or wants to purchase the DLP television. Such
advertisements for related items such as the satellite receiver,
though, would only be sent during those times that the consumer has
selected to receive unsolicited advertisements.
GUI display window 220 illustrates a display that lists the
personal data of the information customer. The personal data
includes interests, organizations, height, weight, favorite color
and other similar items. The information server described in FIG. 1
and described elsewhere herein uses the personal data to determine
whether an advertisement should be delivered to the information
customer for those times in which an information customer selects a
mode of operation that includes receiving unsolicited
advertisements (in contrast to the solicited advertisements that
correspond to the items of GUI display window 204).
Thus, in operation, the information customer further selects one of
a pair of modes of operation for receiving information. For
example, with respect to advertisements, the information customer
may select whether he wants to receive or not receive the
advertisements that relate specifically to the solicited products
and services listed within GUI display window 204. Thus,
advertisements that relate to those products would only be
generated if the information customer has selected a soft switch
224. It is understood, that soft switch 224 is generated as a GUI
switch. Similarly, the information customer may select with a soft
switch 228 whether or not he or she is to receive unsolicited
advertisements that perhaps relate to the personal data specified
in GUI display window 220.
As may be seen, push data that is generated in relation to GUI
display windows 204 and 220 relate to advertisements that may or
may not be targeted to the specific information customer according
to his or her selections and modes of operation as specified by
soft switches 224 and 228. Another type of window that may be
defined, however, is a window that specifies specific events that
drive custom applications.
For example, a GUI display window 232 defines event information
that relates to air travel, while a GUI display window 236 defines
event information that relates to automotive travel. Within GUI
display window 232, the information customer can specify the type
of travel in a pull-down menu 240. In the present example, the
information customer specified air travel in pull-down menu 240.
Accordingly, GUI display options for specifying flight information
are provided to the information customer. Thus, in a pull-down
window 244, the information customer selects an airline. In data
fields 248 and 252, the information customer specifies the dates of
travel. In data fields 256 and 260 the information customer
specifies specific flight numbers. Accordingly, in operation, the
information of GUI display window 232 is utilized in conjunction
with a specific application server to provide desired types of
information that relate thereto, and as were specified by the
information customer in his or her customer profile records. Thus,
for example, a specific application server might generate push data
messages to advise the information customer through his or her
mobile terminal that a flight specified within GUI display window
232 has been delayed or, alternatively, is on time.
In GUI display window 236, the information customer has selected a
type of automotive transportation information that specifies his
work-related travel. As may be seen, the information customer
specified work in a pull-down menu 266. Accordingly, a plurality of
windows are displayed relating to the travel. Upon the selection of
an automotive travel mode, GUI display screens are generated to
prompt the information customer to specify a starting address in a
data field 270 and an ending address in a data field 274.
Additionally, in pull-down menu 278 the information customer
specifies the days of travel. In the example shown herein, a
specific application server monitors the information selected
therein and generates push data when, for example, a traffic jam
exists on an expected route of travel, between the address
specified in data field 270 and the address specified in data field
274. Such an application server might, for example, continuously
monitor publicly available traffic or weather data.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram that illustrates an
information delivery network according to one embodiment of the
present invention. Referring now to FIG. 3, an information server
304 is coupled to communicate with a vendor server 308, a location
server 312, a custom application server 316, a database system 320
and a wireless network that includes a base station 324 for
delivery of information to a mobile terminal 328. Information
server 304 also is coupled to communicate with a customer data
server 332 and a vendor database 336. Customer data server 332
further is coupled to communicate with a user workstation 340 by
way of the Internet (not shown) and with custom application server
316. Information server 304 further includes a wireless access
protocol (WAP) server 344. WAP server 344 is for facilitating
information delivery to wireless terminals of different types with
different capabilities such as PDAs with color capability
supporting multimedia applications versus PDA's with only black and
white text capability. Thus, the transmissions to the various
terminals are according to the unique capabilities of a target
wireless terminal.
In the described embodiment of FIG. 3, WAP server 344 is formed as
a part of information server 304. It is readily understood, of
course, that WAP server 344 may be distinct and may merely operate
in conjunction with information server 304 to deliver appropriately
formatted information to mobile terminal 328. As may also be seen,
mobile terminal 328 is presently located within a Picocell 348.
Adjacent to, or approximate to, Picocell 348, however, are
Picocells 352, 356, 360, 364 and 368. A plurality of Picocells are
illustrated here in FIG. 3 to suggest that a given area may have a
great number of Picocells because, in one embodiment of the present
invention, each Picocell defines an area being characterized by a
radius that is in the range of 60 to 80 ft. Thus, a wireless
terminal, such as mobile terminal 328 may readily travel through a
great number of Picocells in a short period of time. Moreover, FIG.
3 illustrates that an identification of the Picocell serving mobile
terminal 328 is an identification of a very specific location
because the Picocells are so small. Thus, event-driven push data,
whether advertisements or other information, may be generated
specifically in response to the location of mobile terminal 328.
While the described embodiment herein includes the use of Picocells
as defined, it is understood that the invention may also be
implemented in traditional cellular networks wherein the Picocells
are replaced by traditional cells or cell sectors.
Customer data server 332 is for setting up and managing customer
profiles and requested information services, such as traffic and
travel alerts. Customer data server 332 communicates over the
Internet or through other known communication avenues with user
workstations, such as user workstation 340, to enable the
information customers to enter their specific customer profile
data, as well as to select modes of operation. Customer data server
332 generates GUI display screens to facilitate profile entry and
management. Thus, an information customer of mobile terminal 328
would, in advance, enter his or her profile information through
workstation 340. While customer data server 332 is shown as a
distinct system, it is understood that its capabilities may readily
be included within information server 304, wherein information
server 304 would communicate with workstation 340 to establish and
manage profile and mode information therefrom.
Database system 320 includes at least three databases. In the
example shown herein, database system 320 includes a database for
storing device capability information for use in delivering push
data to the wireless terminal or other type of terminal. It also
includes a customer information database that keeps the customer
profile records, as well as a customer-selected mode of
operation.
Finally, database system 320 includes a vendor database to include
vendor profile information and vendor inventory. While database
system 320 is shown as one contiguous database system, it is
understood that each of the databases described therein may readily
be contained within separate physical database systems. Moreover,
in the vendor database of database system 320, the inventory stored
therein, in the described example, relates to specific brands and
types of products. The actual inventory is stored within vendor
server 308.
In the described embodiment, a location server 312 is coupled to
communicate with base station 324, as well as with information
server 304. In the described embodiment of the invention, base
station 324 is formed to produce a mobile terminal ID, as well as
an identification of the Picocell presently serving the mobile
terminal identified by the mobile terminal ID. Accordingly,
location server 312, upon receiving the identification of the
Picocell, as well as the mobile terminal ID, generates a signal to
information server 304 to identify the location of a mobile
terminal specified by a corresponding mobile terminal ID. The
location provided by location server 312 might be an identification
of the Picocell within which the mobile terminal is located or,
perhaps, an identifier that relates to a larger area or an area as
known by name. Stated differently, location server 312 is for
translating Picocell locations into another identifier as specified
by a system operator. For example, given the size of the Picocells
within FIG. 3, a significant number of Picocells may exist within a
large department store. Accordingly, location server 312 would
provide identification to information server 304 that the mobile
terminal is located within a specified department of the department
store rather than identify the specific Picocell. It is understood,
of course, that the functionality of location server 312 may be
performed within information server 304 if formed to do so.
Custom application server 316 also is coupled to information server
304 and is for providing event-driven data thereto. For example, in
the aforementioned example of a travel-related application, custom
application server 316 might be one that is formed to obtain flight
schedule information by way of the Internet, from an airline server
by way of the Internet, for the selected airline in the customer
profile information to determine whether information relating to
that flight is one that should trigger a defined event. For
example, if the aircraft is running an hour or more late, customer
application server 316 might generate push data for delivery to
mobile terminal 328 to advise it that the airplane is running late.
Alternatively, if the custom application is a road condition or
traffic-monitoring server, then upon determining that a wreck has
occurred, perhaps by poling Internet sources of such data, custom
application server 316 would determine whether the probable travel
route for mobile terminal 328 includes passing by or nearby the
travel path relating to the traffic condition that prompts the push
data to be transmitted.
As may also be seen, information server 304 is coupled to receive
information from vendor database 336 that it delivers to database
system 320 for storage therein. In operation, as mobile terminal
328 registers its presence within a Picocell, for example, Picocell
348, base station 324 generates location and mobile terminal ID
information that is transmitted to location server 312. Location
server 312 then produces the same, or a modified form of the
information, to information server 304 as was described before.
Information server 304 then examines vendor information, as well as
customer profile records stored within database system 320, to
determine whether there are any vendors within a proximate distance
of mobile terminal 328 that should provide advertisements in the
form of push data to mobile terminal 328 through base station 324.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, if the information customer had
turned off soft switch 228, meaning that unsolicited information
was not to be sent, but had turned on the mode for solicited data
to be transmitted, then information server 304 would determine
whether any of the items specified within the customer profile
information are sold by a vendor within a proximate area. In one
example of the present invention, only those vendors within the
Picocell of mobile terminal 328 would be able to generate push data
advertisements.
In another embodiment of the invention, a vendor within 100 ft. of
the Picocell within which the mobile terminal 328 is registered
would be allowed to provide advertisements that relate to the
customer profile information stored within database system 320.
Thus, for example, if "Maybeclean" brand dishwashers are sold
within Picocell 352 and are located within a specified distance of
Picocell 348, then information server 304 would determine that the
customer had requested solicited advertisements for "Maybeclean"
brand dishwashers that were characterized by a specified price and
color. Thus, since the vendor within Picocell 352 sells
"Maybeclean" brand dishwashers, information server 304 generates
customer profile information that is transmitted to vendor server
308. Vendor server 308, upon receiving the customer profile
information, determines that the customer profile does include
"Maybeclean" brand dishwashers at a price of $300 or less and have
a tan color. Accordingly, vendor server 308 examines its internal
records that list its inventory to determine whether it has the
available product to satisfy the information customer. In the
present example, the vendor does have this product and, thus, it
generates a customer-specific advertisement 370 that is transmitted
to the information server for delivery to the mobile terminal 328
by way of base station 324 and perhaps by way of a mobile switching
center (not shown). Base station 324 then produces the
customer-specific ad as push data to mobile terminal 328 through a
tower connected thereto. In the previously described example of
airline travel, if custom application server 316 determines that a
specified flight is late beyond a specified amount of time by
communicating with an airline company's server and that, according
to the user location determines that traffic or weather patterns
may also be significant in planning a trip to the airport to catch
the flight,, it prompts information server 304 to generate custom
information signals that are transmitted to base station 324 and,
ultimately, to mobile terminal 328.
WAP server 344 includes operational logic that enables information
server 304 to control the amount and format of the information
transmitted to mobile terminal 328. In one embodiment of the
present invention, information server 304 specifies to vendor
server 308 the amount of information that it may provide to mobile
terminal 328. For example, if mobile terminal 328 is a mobile
station with short message service (SMS) capability having a very
limited display device for the SMS messages, then information
server 304 or WAP 344 would determine the capabilities and format
that should be applied to the data by communicating with WAP server
344 and convey such information to vendor server 308 for
transmission to the wireless terminal. In the case of a wireless
terminal only having SMS message capability, for example,
information server 304 would specify to vendor server 308 that
image data should not be transmitted and that the total amount of
data should be within a specified number of characters.
In another embodiment of the invention, vendor server 308 would
contain information within specified fields and information server
304 would merely identify what fields could be transmitted by
vendor server 308 to customer-specific advertisement 370. On the
other hand, if mobile terminal 328 not only has significant
graphical display capability but also the ability to play sound,
then vendor server 308 might include tones and sounds that are
transmitted with customer-specific advertisement 370 and to mobile
terminal 328. Thus, as may be seen, it is WAP server 344 that
monitors and determines the capabilities of mobile terminal 328 and
the format of the information that should be transmitted to it.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an information server
formed according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Information server 400 includes a processor 404, a memory 408 and a
temporary memory 412 that are coupled to communicate over a bus 416
that is controlled by a bus controller 420. Bus controller 420
further is coupled to a network port 424 that enables information
server 400 to communicate with external devices.
Memory 408 includes computer instructions that define operational
logic of information server 400. For example, memory 408 includes a
memory portion 428 that defines transmission logic. The
transmission logic defined by computer instructions stored within
memory 428 defines, among other things, how advertisements and
vendors should be selected based upon the operational mode selected
by the customer. For example, whether the customer had selected to
receive solicited advertisements only or unsolicited advertisements
as well, would impact the operation of the system and what ads are
sent to him or her.
Similarly, the computer instructions stored within memory portion
428 are for defining the broadcast mode logic. More specifically,
these computer instructions define the order in which the various
user terminals receive either solicited or unsolicited
advertisements. For example, in one mode of operation, only one
selected (user terminal) device is to receive the push data
containing either advertisements or information of some sort. In
another mode of operation, multiple devices are selected for
receiving the push data in a specified order. For example, in the
second mode of operation, the computer instructions within memory
portion 428 may specify that push data is to be delivered to a
mobile terminal if its presence is registered anywhere in a
wireless network first, and then to the user's computer terminal by
way of e-mail.
Memory portion 432 is for defining profile transmission logic for
the various user terminals that are to receive push data. For
example, the computer instructions in memory portion 432 define
what information is sent to a vendor server regarding a mobile
terminal's capabilities and data transmission formats that are
required therefor.
Memory portion 436 includes the wireless access protocol profile
logic which determines the display characteristics of the mobile
terminal according to type. For example, some mobile terminals have
a display that is equivalent to a programmable digital assistant,
while others have displays that are very limited and that are
equivalent to one or two lines of alphanumeric text.
Memory portion 440 is for storing profile access logic. This
portion if for defining the user's profile and selected modes of
operation for the various push data services being provided as
described herein. Memory portion 444 includes computer instructions
that define the application management logic which specifies how
the server is to communicate with a specific application server for
application-specific data. For example, if the application-specific
server is one that monitors air travel, then the information from
that server will have a specified format. This memory portion 444
is for defining and interpreting those formats. Finally, as
discussed earlier, memory portion 412 is for storing data on a
temporary basis for use in the above-specified processing.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating one method of the present
invention. Initially, a location server determines that a mobile
terminal has registered within a small Picocell (step 504).
Thereafter, the location server generates a mobile terminal ID and
location information to a location server that is to generate push
data according to the mobile terminal's present location (step
508). Thereafter, the location server generates translated location
information and mobile terminal ID information to the information
server (step 512).
After the information server has received the translated location
information and mobile terminal ID from the location server, it
examines a vendor database to determine if there are any vendors
that are located within the mobile terminal's Picocell location
(step 516). The information server also examines an application
database to determine if there is any information that is to be
delivered to the mobile terminal (step 520). The information server
also examines the vendor database to determine if there are any
vendors that are located within a defined distance outside of the
Picocell (step 524). For example, the Picocells are so small that
the user may well have interest in push data from a vendor that is
outside the location of the Picocell.
Thereafter, the information server examines a customer profile
database that corresponds to the mobile terminal ID (step 528).
This is to determine what modes and services have been selected by
the customer that is identified by the mobile terminal ID.
Thereafter, customer profile information is transmitted to any
vendor servers that are to push data to the mobile terminal, along
with mobile terminal access information, such as "called party
number", for delivery of the push information (step 532).
Thereafter, the information server examines the device capability
database to determine mobile terminal display formatting and
capability information (step 536). In FIG. 4, this information was
shown to be defined within computer instructions within the
information server. In the embodiment being described herein,
however, that information is defined within a database that is
coupled to communicate with the information server. Finally, each
of the vendor servers or information servers that are selected and
to provide a service herein, transmits select advertisements and
information to the to the information server for delivery to the
mobile terminal (step 540).
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second method of the present
invention performed by an information server. Initially, the mobile
terminal location is evaluated (step 604). Additionally, the time
and date is evaluated to see if a combination of the mobile
terminal location and time and date trigger an event. For example,
the triggered event may be to provide a certain type of data based
upon the user's current location and time of day (used for distance
calculations). Accordingly, assuming that the time, data and
location correspond to a defined event, the event is evaluated for
processing (step 612). If there is a triggering event, then a
defined application is initiated (step 616). If information is to
be delivered from a specific information application, signals are
generated to the application server to prompt it to provide the
information (step 620). Thereafter, when the information is
received from the specialized application server, information
signals are produced to a push application server to prompt it to
deliver the information to the mobile terminal (step 624).
Thereafter, mobile terminal capability information is received for
determining what information and format of the information that is
to be transmitted to the mobile terminal (step 628). Thereafter,
the information is formatted (step 632) and is transmitted for
delivery to the mobile terminal through a wireless network (step
636).
The inventive method and apparatus disclosed herein are
particularly advantageous in that they provide a capability for
event driven information to be transmitted to a user based upon a
plurality of conditions including his very specific location. When
used for advertising, for example, a user may receive an
advertisement that specifically matches preset solicitation
requirements whenever he is in the vicinity of the vendor that has
the product that matches defined solicitation requirements.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by
way of example in the drawings and detailed description. It should
be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description
thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular
form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
As may be seen, the described embodiments may be formed in many
different ways without departing from the scope or teachings of the
invention.
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